Julii Corydoras

Looks how to spot one

Armoured catfish (bony plates, no scales)

A neat, compact armoured catfish with a translucent whitish-grey body covered in fine, distinct black spots, including tiny spots on the head, and a dark line along the middle of the flank. The look is often compared to a leopard. Females grow a little larger and deeper-bodied than males.31

Personality what they are like

Peaceful and gregarious. Julii corys forage in little groups, keeping up a steady, cheerful bustle over the sand without bothering other fish.13

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Busy bottom scavengers that need open sand to sift and occasional access to the surface for a gulp of air.324

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Water: 20 to 26 C per Seriously Fish (FishBase 23 to 26 C), pH 5.5 to 7.5, hardness 2 to 12 dGH. Keep fine sand clean with regular partial water changes.12

Home where they are happiest

A tank with a base of at least 90 x 30 cm (about 81 litres), fine sand and some cover from plants, roots or rocks.1

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Omnivorous foragers that eat worms, small crustaceans, insects and plant matter in the wild. In the aquarium offer sinking dried foods plus small live or frozen foods such as bloodworm.21

Company who they like around

Keep a group of at least four to six. They mix well with other small, peaceful community fish.13

The story where it all began

Steindachner described the species in 1906. For decades it has been confused in the hobby with the very similar three-lined cory, and many fish sold under its name are in fact that species.13

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Least Concern (assessed 7 November 2018)2

Taxonomy

Described by Steindachner in 1906; now placed in the resurrected genus Hoplisoma after a 2025 phylogenomic study5

Trade note

Many fish sold as julii are actually the similar three-lined cory, Corydoras trilineatus1